...Zimbabwe - $100 2023 Hybrid Reprint

 Republic of Zimbabwe

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (est.1956)

(The King of Funny Money)

Currency : Dollar (ZWD)

 

This is a $100 reprint note dated 2023. I believe this is the last issue for this series as on 05.04.2026, the government of Zimbabwe introduced a new currency called Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). This new currency replaced the current series first introduced in 2019.

This $100 note was first introduced on 06.04.2022. The last $100 note prior to this series was issued in 2009.

Zimbabwe has experienced years of hyperinflation mainly due to poor economy management, and because of this, the government was forced to accept a multi-currency systems, such as the US dollar. About 80% of the country's local transactions are settled with the USD. Despite the government trying to rely on its own currency by issuing a new Zimbabwean dollar in 2019, and also repeated efforts by the authorities to boost confidence, the Zimbabwean dollar continued to decline and lost its value by 80% in 2023. The multi-currency was supposed to end in 2025, but this has now been extended to 2030.

One Hundred Dollars

Matapos Balancing rocks

 

Front - Like all banknotes issued since 2019, the design on the front depicts the Matapos Balancing rocks near the town of Epworth. The image of the Matapos Balancing rocks have been the main feature on many of its previous series since the early 1980s, except briefly in the 2000s. 

Governor - John Panonetsa Mangudya (tenure 2014-2024)

Dimensions - 158mm x 67mm

Watermark - Zimbabwe eagle (Bateleur eagle)

Back - The main feature on the back is a baobab tree and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins Monument. The baobab tree is a native tree in Madagascar, but they are also found in mainland Africa, Southwest Asia and even in northern Australia. This tree is also sometimes known as the 'Upside Down tree' because of its look. During the dry season the tree will lose all the leaves and the care branches resemble the roots of a tree. The shape of the baobab tree is quite unique as you can identify it with a huge trunk. Growing straight up before it branches out with leaves on the top. Next to the baobab tree is the Great Zimbabwe Ruins monument. The ruins are located in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe, near lake Mutirikwi. It is believed that the ruins was constructed in the 9th century and was once the capital of a kingdom. This site is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

 

Baobab tree, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins monument

Dimensions - 158.5mm x 66mm

 

 Replacement prefix ZZ

Baobab tree, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins monument

...Zimbabwe - $100 Dated 2020 Hybrid

 Republic of Zimbabwe

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Currency : Dollar (ZWD)

 

Posted below is the latest $100 note issued on 06.04.2022. Based on the previous experience, it is not sure if higher denominations will be issued, and as such, I am not willing to call this the last note of the current series.

Because of the out of control hyperinflation it experienced during the 2000s, the bank ceased printed banknotes after the 2009 series. In 2016, it started to issue Bond Notes of $2 and $5, and in 2019, re commenced issuing Zimbabwe banknotes for circulation. Since then, it has released $2, $5, $10, $20 and $50, and now the $100. I would not be surprised if higher denominations are expected, like the $500 and $1000 at a later date. Given that the value of those $2 and $5 issued in 2019 are not worth the value the paper is printed on, these two notes have since been demonetised.

Is this a hybrid note? I have no evidence to back myself on this, but for this exercise, I have posted this as one until otherwise.

One Hundred Dollars

Dated 2020, Matapos Balancing rocks

Front - Like all banknotes issued since 2019, the design on the front depicts the Matapos Balancing rocks near the town of Epworth. The image of the Matapos Balancing rocks have been the main feature on many of its previous series since the early 1980s, except briefly in the 2000s. 

Governor - John Panonetsa Mangudya (tenure since 2014)

Dimensions - 157mm x 67mm

Watermark - Zimbabwe eagle (Bateleur eagle)

Back - The main feature on the back is a baobab tree and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins Monument. The baobab tree is a native tree in Madagascar, but they are also found in mainland Africa, Southwest Asia and even in northern Australia. This tree is also sometimes known as the 'Upside Down tree'. The shape of the baobab tree is quite unique as you can identify it with a huge trunk. Growing straight up before it branches out with leaves on the top. The last 2000 ariary 2007 commemorative note issued by Madagascar features the same tree on the front of the note. Next to the baobab tree is the Great Zimbabwe Ruins monument. The ruins are located in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe, near lake Mutirikwi. It is believed that the ruins was constructed in the 9th century and was once the capital of a kingdom. This is now listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Baobab tree and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins Monument

...Zimbabwe - $50 Dated 2020

Republic of Zimbabwe

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

(The King of Funny Money)

Currency : Dollar (ZWD)

 

Please note that I have no confirmation to say that this is a Hybrid note. If any readers have any info on this note, please feel free to share your knowledge with me. Thanks.

Fifty Dollars

Dated 2020, Matapos Balancing rocks near the town of Epworth

This note is dated 2020 but released on 06.07.2021. The design on the front is the same as those previously released since 2019. On the front, it depicts the Matapos Balancing rocks near the town of Epworth.

 

On the back, the design of this note depicts the portrait of a sad looking face of Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana. Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana was a spirit medium. She was one of the leaders that revolted against the British colonisation of Zimbabwe. She was captured by the British and executed in 1898, aged 58. In the background is the Tomb of the Unknown soldiers. I suppose this note honoured her and those unknown soldiers for their courage and bravery for standing up to the more powerful enemies at the time. Imagine you only had stones and sticks against the invaders with guns and cannons.

 

Governor - Dr John Panonetsa Mangudya (since 01.05.2014)

Dimensions - 156.5mm x 67.5mm

Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana, Tomb of the Unknown soldiers

...Zimbabwe - $10 and $20 Dated 2020 Hybrid

Republic of Zimbabwe

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

(The King of Funny Money)

Currency : Dollar (ZWD)

****Zimbabwe - These are the two latest notes of $10 and $20 circulating in the country. Like those issued in 2019 for the $2 and $5, these two are also printed on Hybrid materials. It is believed that larger denominations of $50 and $100 will be issued at a later date.

These two notes of $10 and $20 were reportedly released in June 2020. These are the 3rd and 4th notes released since 2019 and without the words "Bond Note" printed on, like those $2 and $5 notes issued in 2016.

These two notes are both dated 2020. The design on the front for both notes are basically the same as those previously issued, with the Matapos Balancing rocks near the town of Epworth, about 17 kilometers southeast of Harare. These rocks are located at the Matapos National Park. The rocks' formation are of natural occurrence and became popular when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe started using the images on the front of their banknotes. The rocks that are depicted on the notes are known as Chiremha Balancing rocks. 

On the back, the $10 features the Reserve Bank Tower building, Cape buffaloes and the $20 features an elephant and the world famous Victoria Falls as the background. Victoria falls is located between the towns of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone (Zambia). The town Livingstone was named after a Scottish Explorer David Livingstone and Victoria Falls was named after Queen Victoria. Victoria Falls is owned by both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe Reserve Bank Tower is a 28 storey plus ground floor building which was built in 1997. It is located at 80 Samora Machel Avenue in Harare, Zimbabwe. It is also currently the tallest building in the country. 

These two notes are reported to be printed on Hybrid materials.

Governor - Dr John Panonetsa Mangudya (since 01.05.2014)
Imprinter - Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) name not printed
Size - 157mm x 66mm

Ten Dollars

Dated 2020, 

Reverse - 

Twenty Dollars

Dated 2020, 

Reverse - 

...Zimbabwe - $2 and $5 Hybrid Both Dated 2019

Republic of Zimbabwe

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

(The King of Funny Money)
Currency : Dollar (ZWD)

Posted here are the most recent two notes issued by the RBZ. These two notes replaced the previous two Bond notes issued in 2016. The designs for these two notes are the same as compared to those issued in 2016 except that the words "Bond Note" have been omitted on the front and back of the notes. These two notes are both dated 2019 and both were released for circulation on 12.11.2019.

These two notes have been reported to be printed on Hybrid materials.

Governor - John Panonetsa Mangudya (since 01.05.2014)
Dimensions - 157mm x 67mm

Two Dollars (Hybrid)

Dated 2019, Matapos Balancing rocks in Epworth

Reverse - Torch of Independence monument, Parliament House

 

Five Dollars (Hybrid)

Dated 2019

Reverse